angelica
angelica Lexical Profile
• noun
Any of various tall, aromatic biennial or perennial herbs of the genus Angelica in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and cultivated for their large, spherical compound umbels of small greenish-white or yellowish flowers and deeply divided foliage.
"Towering stalks of garden angelica topped with globe-like clusters of greenish-white blossoms added architectural height to the back of the herb border."
The aromatic roots, seeds, or tender hollow stems of the angelica plant, frequently candied in sugar for decorating cakes and pastries or distilled to flavor liqueurs and gin.
"The traditional holiday fruitcake was decorated with diamond-shaped pieces of bright green candied angelica and glacé cherries."
American A sweet, amber-colored fortified dessert wineoriginally produced in California from a blend of grape juice and brandy.
"After dinner, the host poured small glasses of aged California angelica to accompany the toasted almonds."
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin herba angelica ('angelic herb'), derived from Greek angelos ('messenger, angel'), so named either because the plant blooms around the feast day of Michael the Archangel or because of medieval folklore crediting an angel with revealing its medicinal efficacy against the plague.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.